IVF Graduates - A place for pregnancy menkulling

[BeetlingAbout]

A chat thread for those who have conceived via assisted conception.

Come and join me egg buddies!

Great news val,

Enjoy your holiday res. You deserve a lovely break.

Res: seeing the positive aspects of your life sounds like a great way to heal. I'm really pleased to hear you're on holiday! Relax and restore your energy. Xx

That's great news val! I am so pleased for you. It's reassuring to see it in the screen isn't it. Pregnancy is yet another waiting game which after all the TTC and IVF you would think we would be used to wouldn't you .

AFM: I have had the results of the harmony test and we are in the clear as far as downs, patau and Edwards which is good news. Our risk was put at 1 in 1700 after the combined test and is now 1 in 10,000.

So ... part of the test shows the gender and I knew my husband had said he would rather not know, but I had said I would rather know this time (he got his way last time with DS and we didn't find out). When the call came from the clinic and I got the above results I learnt the gender as well. When I told him I knew he was clearly cross and said he doesn't want to know and I now guess we are going to go through the rest of the pregnancy with me knowing and him not. Not ideal! I guess I had thought that he would go with my view this time...

How is everyone else doing?

Time: hope the next few weeks go without incident for you. Can't be easy.

Thanks bears. Me too! I'm finding I get more anxious the more time I spend doing nothing at home. But trying to not let myself get too wound up about it.

Aren't men so funny sometimes. And so stubborn. Problem is now you can't easily refer to the baby as him/her and that is hard after a while. We know but haven't told anyone and I find it really makes conversations a bit of a mine field.

By the way, I didn't get a call with my harmony results. At FMC I just got them at the 12 week scan. Just in case you now worry Val about getting a call!

How are you doing Time?

This is a pretty quite thread! I hope it means all it well.

I am doing OK. Will be much more relaxed after my 12 week scan! I have my NHS one on Friday and then my Harmony follow-up a week Tuesday.

I look huge . I have actually lost half a stone since becoming pregnant but I have a definite bump, especially after lunch. All a bit different to my last pregnancy. I didn't look PG until 6+ months then!

Hi val. Not much news from me. I'm still feeling sick but less frequently - or maybe I'm just getting used to it! I've got a bit of a bump too which gets bigger in the evening. Got a diabetes test on Tuesday so fingers crossed for that. Waves to everyone else.

Hi. Things going slowly here. I'm struggling a bit as I feel my experience has become too weird to connect to people with. The abdominal cerclage is failing (which is unknown.. Even getting one is rare!) And I'm stuck at home. Baby has been very quiet which worries me, but I can hear the heartbeat OK on the Doppler so I'm trying not to worry.

And all this doing nothing makes time draaaaaag. I'm 23+3, long way to go.

Time - I really feel for you and the absence of connection which is so explicable in the light of your position. Every day must be a 'what today?' day. I really hope that all goes well over the next few weeks.

Its calm enough now, just crossing fingers that things look stable or better on Wednesdayb at my next scan. It's not how you imagine pregnancy! No nice days or shopping, or long lunches - just sitting at home 24/7. I did actually go out today to a local market on my street and it was nice to see other people!

I'm still working from home and starting to look forward to Monday to have something to do. Im also back on the progesterone which seems to make it hard to drift off to sleep so I toss and turn all night.

Sorry, don't mean to be a bit down. It's all worth it, but I can see why mental health is one of the big concerns with bed rest. Just too much time on your hands, and not able to do anything with it.

Time I am really sorry to hear it's so tough. You are so close to the 24 weeks mark - which will be a huge milestone.

What has your consultant said? I assume it is not something that can be redone?

I can completely sympathise with the mental torment of bed rest. Are you getting plenty of visitors? I think I would dread people coming over but it probably gives you an important connection with the 'outside world'. Also are you allowed to shake it up? Can you do it in different locations?! By which I mean, with minimal car travel can you bed rest at a friends/parents etc? Sorry, probably showing my complete lack of understanding of it all. We are all here for a rant even if we can't relate 100%

Good luck with the GTT Nobeer - it sounds no fun at the best of times (I hate sugar drinks so the idea of it makes me nauseous at the best of times!) I hope the sickness eases off. Mine has gone on the whole. It tends to come back at bedtime, so I wonder if it is a horizontal thing??! I had none with DS but got very bad acid indigestion with him so wonder if it is related a bit?

Res it's really nice to here from you. How are you going?

Val I'm allowed to move around a bit, but the problem is (and I know how pathetic this sounds) but I really don't have any friends locally. I've been a bit late to the baby party and all my girlfriends have moved away - mainly to Australia. And my family are all in Australia or Ireland. Mum's coming over but not until August.

I'd ask people to come for a weekend, but I literally can't leave the house for anything other than very short local jobs (against medical advice) and so I know I'm very dull. Maybe I'll see if any of my cousins want to come to London and just use my flat as a base for a few days, so they can sightsee in the day, and I'll make dinner etc in the evenings.

The only friends I have locally are gay couples! And they just don't get that Champagne and dancing to Kylie isn't quite what I'm after - lovely as that is on a Sunday afternoon. The prematurity midwife told me to make sure I had people dropping in regularly, but that's just not possible. I'll think about setting up some Skype sessions as that will have to do.

No chance of re-doing the TAC now, it's too late. This all might come to nothing if my cervix stays stable, but I get the feeling the doctors are going to be very conservative from here on.

I'm not complaining, I know this is just a bump in the road and in a few months it will all be behind me. We have all been through a lot more to get to this point, and this is just one more thing. Keeping the baby safe it most important. I'm using facebook a lot more with local groups and hopefully can arrange some meetups, with the added complication of everyone having to adjust to my needs - which I hate having to ask for!

Sorry - little complaintfest there! This too shall pass... I'll get there.

I feel for you Time - you are right in that once the baby is here it will seem so insignificant but (and I hope this comes out correctly!) it is a long period at this stage so don't think you have to grin and bear it!

How are you doing with TV/Movie recommendations? When I had DS I watched all those movies every 'should have' seen. Think Breakfast Club, Breakfast at Tiffanys, Gone with the Wind etc. Some were brilliant...some I just couldn't understand the hype about Boxset-wise I am LOVING House of Cards, just watching Hannibal too. I am thinking about watching something like ER from the very beginning....work gets in the way As you can tell I am a bit of an American TV junkie. Ohhh, if you have Aussie friends have you discovered Chris Lilley's programmes? Summer Heights High is hilarious, as if the spin off J'Aime. You need and understanding of Aussie culture/humour, which I only have through friends!

I love US TV as well. Maybe I'll get house of cards, it's one of the few series I haven't seen. Tempted to watch breaking bad from the start again too. Watching old famous movies is also a good idea. I don't normally like movies in general as they are a bit long for me to commit to in my normal busy lifestyle... but I suppose that has changed!

Maybe a netflix subscription would be worth it for a few months. I am Australian so I do know the humour and Chis Lilley's stuff!

Things to do this week.

• Finish Cross stitch
• start photobooks for honeymoon (from 2011!)
• go to local painting class (I'm letting myself keep that up)
• set up online grocery shopping.
• buy random baby things
• do tax return

I'm also getting someone in to sort out the garden, which I was going to do 'soon', so that I can sit outside as well on sunny days. At the moment it's just so dirty and untidy I can't enjoy it! But pretty sure a few hours gardening and paving scrubbing is not allowed.

We are moving to Australia next year, so I'm doing what I can to be ready for that too.

Thanks val. Today I haven't felt sick!

Time so sorry you're having a crap time. I agree with val, you need some kind of contact with the outside world so skyping is a great idea. Is there anyway you could get some colleagues to pop round and keep you up to date with the office gossip? Oh, another Chris Lilley fan here too! Have you watched the new series with Jonah? I saw the first two but haven't had time to catch up on the rest.

How are you doing res? I hope your holiday was nice.

Time you really are having a rough time with it all. You are right that 'this too shall pass' but in the meantime it is really hard going - you have been through enough to get to this point and now have this worry plus the boredom of bed rest. It would be odd if you didn't feel down or need a bit of a moan about things. We are all here to chat and listen, and that is what this thread is for.

I think Netflix for a few months would be great if you can. We have it here (I'm in the US so not sure if it is the same stuff available), but there is a huge selection of films, tv series (inc House of Cards, Breaking Bad, Orange is the New Black etc) and documentaries. What sort of things do you like? Will see if we can give you any recommendations. Same for books too.

If you like cross stitching, would you enjoy knitting or sewing too? I have this idea that I will try and knit something for the baby but not started yet. It is funny you mention doing photo books, that has been on my to do list since we got married 4 years ago!

Res hope you had a great holiday and hi to everyone else.

I did make a nice quilt last year and really enjoyed that, but it was using a sewing machine, which is a bit too sitting up to do for any long period. I could do knitting - any advice on easy patterns to start with? Either for me or baby. Baby is probably better.

I have a kit to make a crochet hat which Mum sent for Christmas. I did one attempt and it was terrible, so I've been putting off trying again! I did some basic youtube based learning, but I think I missed the bit about starting a new row, as I thought I wouldn't need it for a round and round and round design. Turns out I was wrong. :) The hat looks like a cone!

I'm very much a beginner knitter, I can just about make a simple hat/scarf (even though it takes me forever). I haven't found any specific patterns yet that I am going to try and attempt, but try googling Debbie Bliss baby patterns, she does different levels from very beginner to advanced. Also Ravelry is great for searching for patterns and things. Youtube also has great tutorials if, like me, you need a knitting refresher. I really should get started!

I've knitted a cardigan and a stripy 'stocking' hat so far ... I'm glad I'm having a winter baby! The cardigan was from a ravelry pattern called 'baby sophisticate', I had to pay about £5 for it but it's a lovely pattern that goes up to child sizes too. It is pretty easy if you know how to do increases (or can learn!). I want to do a cross stitch sampler type thing too but haven't found a pattern that isn't horribly twee yet.

Another thing I've been looking at is felt mobiles like this - they need to be handsewn and all you would need is a pack of felt squares, a bit of stuffing and needle and thread? (Then something to hang it up with but that can always wait til later). I was going to do one with just clouds and colourful raindrops, to make it really easy.

I'm impressed with you knitters/quilters/crafty crafters! I think I could manage something like the felt mobile. Will have to look for my creative mojo when the school hols start. I'm sure I did cross stitch at school, remind me - what do I need to do that?

Easiest way is to buy a kit. It comes with everything, other than a 'loop' for keeping the fabric at the right tension.

Moggle - what don't you like? I'm quite fussy on my kits as I hate anything that tries to hard to be 'art'. I have lots of nice kid ones, toy trains, frogs, farm animals, alphabets, height charts - aimed at kids more than parents. I spend enough time looking at them I can probably help with kits.

moggle - love the mobile and they look fairly easily to do. I'll take a look on Ravelry at the knitting pattern you used. I can just about do increases, but have never knitted button holes...maybe time to teach myself.

time - any suggestions on simple kits for an alphabet cross stitch?

This is the best alphabet one, but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone! I did it for my nephew (and put his name on the top) but it took a full year of constant work.

yafashelli.deviantart.com/art/DMC-Wild-Ones-Animal-Alphabet-298756668

Easier one is this: www.amazon.co.uk/Bothy-Threads-Little-Alphabet-Sampler/dp/B004DO2X36

Slight problem with Alphabet ones is there will be a minmum of 26 distinct things to stitch, which takes time no matter how you structure them. Maybe a single letter is better? If you like this one I can send it to you - I've done about 4 letters but I never get around to working on it.

Bothy threads are good as they have fun designs (their cut-through stuff is really good fun) and don't feel the need to use 10 colours for super detailled colour contours, when one block colour will do.

www.sewingcafe.co.uk/Bothy-Threads-Pirate-Ship-XCT7
www.bothythreads.com/thru-rocket-p-132.html

Easy enough looking one: www.minervacrafts.com/d73472-dimensions-baby-hugs-counted-baby-birth-record-zoo-alphabet-kit.html?gclid=CjgKEAjwq_qcBRDZ-PeZ7NGQiVwSJAATT7q2Kw48dSu3ImR6N45wcPYQw7nluRJs9sjKZtgDcMI3KfD_BwE and dimensions do lovely quality threads with bright colours.

Last year I did a square-a-month subscription type thing from an online us-based cross stitch shop called the frosted pumpkin, full of very cute animals and similar with a woodland theme . No colour contours! Might have a look to see if they have anything suitable for a sampler.
Have spent the past 4 years crocheting and knitting and sewing things for friends' babies and am just sooo excited about making things for my own at last.

I know the feeling! Looking at the websites today I realise I have made so many of them, and all for other people. I've almost finished the one I had chosen for my little one but I'll do a few more things once that is complete.